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THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE: WASHING-TON, D. O., JULY 8, 1882.
o
e
THE ASSASSIN HANGED.
Guiteau Pays the Penalty
of His Crime on the
Scaffold.
Childish Babbling1 of Hie Murderer
Unmoved Throng of Spectators.
Reading; lo Dcath-Warrant last Hours of
Ihc Culprit He IVcaKeiiR as the End
Approaches Disgraceful Scaffold Scenes.
John Guiteau Among the Spectators The
Autopsy Guiteau's Brain Found to he
Normal and Healthy His Remains Bur
ied in an Unmarked Grave Scenes and
Incidents of the Execution The Great
Tragedy Illustrated hy Our Special Artist.
Charles Julius Guiteau, the assassin of Presi
dent Garfield, was hanged at the United States
jail in this city on Friday of last week. The
crime for which the wretched creature, who
blasphemously termed himself "God's man,"
forfeited his miserable life upon the scaffold
Stands out alone in history as one of tho most
cold-blooded and dastardly in tho dark record
of great criminals. The efforts ol tho assassin
to justify bis act m tho theory that ho was
God's instrument, inspired by tho Almighty
to murder the President in order to restoro
peaco and harmony to the ranks of tho Repub
lican party, and that consequently ho was an
irresponsiblebeing, was an afterthought, other,
wise it would have been expressed in his letter
to Gcu'l Sherman. This, as everybody knows,
proved a wretched failure, and the only reason
able motive for the murder appears to have
been revenge for imaginary insults received at
the hands of tho Executivo. This feeling ho
nursed carefully and finally carried his mur
derous design into execution with a crafty and
devilish cunning that will carry his name into
history as the monster criminal of the 19th
century. It is evident from tho time Guiteau
fired tho fatal shot until with trembling 1'inbs
and face blanched with terror tho murderer
ascended the scaffold steps that he did not
expect to pay the penalty of bis life for tho
ACruel murder. Ho doubtless argued that
the very enormity of tho crime, tho ap
parent lack of motive for its commis
sion, and other circumstances, would sus
tain him in his insanity dodge, and, failing
in that, be hoped for executive clemency.
This latter is clearly shown from the fact that
the so-called prayer which he was foolishly
permitted to read in dramatic style from the
scaffold platform, contained a bitter denuncia
tion of tho President for faiJing to grant him a
respite. This paper ho retained until the last
moment, and had even a brief respite been
granted, it would never have bcon made pub
lic. Jt was prepared for the express purpose
of pouring forth his venomous curses upon tho
Chief Executivo when he awoke to a full re
alization of tho fact that ho was standing on
the brink of eternity. Tho craven nature of
tho assassin was shown by tho miserable spec
tacle he presented as ho stood alongside tho
dangling rope, and in an attempt to poso in the
role of martyr broko down completely and
sobbed like a child. Tho scene was one calcu
lated to move tho sympathies of even the most
callous person, but having listened to tho dying
imprecations only a few moments beforo of the
venomous wretch, the three hundred specta
tors witnessed the sufferings of the murderer
with a stolidity that only tho peculiar circum
stances surrounding tho case would have
justified. It is true that he walked without
support from his cell to the scaffold, and that
in reading a chapter from the bible and his
"prayer," his voice was not tremulous, but
there is nothing at all remarkable in this;
he had nerved himself for the ordeal, and his
over-weening self conceit aided him in main
taining his composure at first, but not oven
this incentive, strong as it was with hiin, was
sufficicnt.to enable the craven wretch to simu
late bravery, and there has never been wit
nessed a scene of more abject cowardice than
that presented during the last few minutes on
the scaffold. The arrangements for the execu
tion were absolutely perfect, and tho murder
er's death was comparatively painless being
in this respect a striking contrast with the
Ibng suffering and agonizing death of his inno
cent victim. The representative of The Na
tional Tribune, who was present at tho jail
and closely observed the demeanor of the pris
oner, has no hesitation in pronouncing his
whole deportment as characterized by greater
moral cowardice than that of any execution ho
ever witnessed, among which were several
whites and negroes. Guiteau died as he had
lived a weak coward. John W. Guiteau, tho
culprit's brother, was among the spectators,
and his presence at the jail, apparently for tho
sole purpose of notoriety, was the subject of
much unfavorable comment.
LAST HOURS OF THE CULPRIT,
lie Eats Voraciously and Sheds Tears Over His
Death "Poem."
On the evening preceding the day of execu
tion Rev. Dr. Hicks, the spiritual adviser of
Guiteau, visited him in his cell. His brother
and Mrs. Scoville, his sister, also had brief in
terviews with him. The prisoner was, how
ever, in one of his "cranky" humors and there
was an abs nee of anything approaching senti
ment in the meeting, but ho indulged his tastes
for a seme by calling bis sister back after sho
had left the cell and dramatically kissing her
through tho bars, remarking at the same time
that he wished it to "go on record" in that
way. To the preacher he expressed himself
as having made his peace with God, and said
he was prepared for his "removal" at any
moment. Dr. Hicks prayed with him, and
as he withdrew Guiteau said: "Good-night,
Doctor; get a good night's- rest and come and
sec me in the morning. I am going to sleep."
It was evidently Guiteau's intention to appear
brave, but the fact that lie slept but little and
broke down completely at tho rattle of the
soldiers' muskets on the floor of the cell as
well as on the scaffold betrayed his craven
nature as bis hope of a respite to which ho
dug to the last became fainter and fainter.
The death-watch closed and locked tho door
of his cell after the minister retired and
drawing his chair close to the liars fixed his
eyes closely upon the condemned man. Guiteau
L, shuCl d about restlessly until midnight, when
he retired to his cot and for some time lay
motionlt ss. In the morning he said he had
had a refreshing sleep, but his appearance
indicated the very reverse of tho statement.
When jc arose he asked immediately for his
breakfast and devoured it with a voracious ap
petite that was characteristic of him all through
his imprisonment. Ho greedily devoured a
large beefsteak, an omelette, several slices of
toast and fried potatoes, and drank about a
quart of coffee. He then gave orders that his
dinner be brought to him about 11 o'clock, and
slipping out into the corridor indulged in a
brisk walk for fifteen minutes, halting occa-
I V cioTinllv n rnnl.-n n ;.,,.,.:,, r 4i,A ,..,.,...,.
He wore no coat or waistcoat, but had put on
the trousers which he was to wear to the scaffold.
After he had finished his .exercise he seated
himself at tho table in his cell and made a
copy of the "prayer" which ho proposed to i
read from tho scaffold. Ho wrote in a clear,
distinct hand, explaining that bis object in
doing so was to have the copy legible, in order
that he would have no troublo -n reading it.
After completing tho work ho destroyed tho
original. During this time tho final test was
being applied to the scaffold hy Warden Crocker
and other officials. Tho double bolt which
supported the- trap was freshly oiled and the
strength of the rope was tested with a 200
pound bag of sand. Everything was found to
work with perfect smoothness. By this timo
visitors began arriving rapidly and by ten
o'clock probably three hundred persons who
held cards entitling them to admission had
gathered in tho rotunda. Correspondents wcro
busily occupied writing dispatches, which were
being clicked off from telegraph instruments
in the warden's office, and tho scene was one of
great animation. Outside the jail hundreds
of persons had gathered, although there was no
possible hopo of them getting a glimpse of the
scaffold; mounted polico wero patrolling the
grounds and messengers wero momentarily
arriving and departing. Several enterprising
citizens had improved the opportunity of turn
ing an honest penny by dispensing lemonade,
cakes, &c, and the grounds opposito tho jail
presented a somewhat pic-nic appearance.
The noise cf hurrying footsteps and the busy
hum of conversation in the rotunda penetrated
to tho cell of the condemned man, and as tho
hours wore on he grow more and more nervous,
though evidently nerving himself to appear
indifferent to his fast -approaching fate. Ho
seemed to apprehend some mishap on tho gal
lows and requested particularly that every
precaution should be taken to guard against it.
After being assured that every precaution hud
been taken ho asked permission to take a bath',
and a largo tub of water was taken to his cell,
into which he plunged with apparent pleasure.
Ho then made his toilet carefully, sending for
a boot-black to polish his congress gaiters. He
then asked for pen and paper, and in about
twenty minutes bo had prepared a crude hymn
or ditty which he termed "Simplicity," and
which lie attempted to chant on tho scaffold,
but broke down utterly in tho effort. After
reading it in tho-cell ho appeared to lose all
courage and throwing himself on his cot wept
and sobbed. Rumors wero quickly spread
throughout the jail that he had been ntterly
prostrated and that ho would havo to be car
ried to tho scaffold, and for some time the offi
cials wero apprchensivo that such would be the
case. Dr. Hicks went at onco to his cell and spoko
some reassuring words to tho prisoner, after
which he brightened up and somewhat recov
ered his self-possession. It was now eleven
o'clock, tho hour appointed for his dinner, and
n-few moments thereafter thoso in and around
tho cell witnessed tho novel spectacle of a man
who was to die in an hour silently devouring a
hugo repast. Tho bustlo in tho rotunda mo
mentarily increased, and shortly after eleven
o'clock a detachment of United States armed
regulars filed down from the chapel steps and
came to a "parade rest" on the east side. When
the command to "ord or arms" was executed
tho muskets came down with a ringing sound
that was heard all over tho jail building and
caused tho terrified murderer to start up sud
denly, as it evidently reminded him that their
presence precluded all hopo of any respite.
THE DEATH WARRANT.
Warden Crocker Reads it to the Prisoner A Curi
ous Itcquest.
Soon after tho hour of noon Warden Crocker
summoned tho prisoner into tho corridor and,
drawing from his pocket a large envelope, pro
ceeded to read the death warrant to Guitoau.
Tho prisoner listened attentively, and at the
conclusion of the reading returned to his cell
and put the finishing touches upon his toilet,
brushing his hair smoothly nnd washing his
face and hands. Warden Crocker, who appeared
considerably moved as the fatal hour ap
proached, turning suddenly, said to Guiteau :
" I will bo glad to grant any request of yours
that I can consistently." In reply Guiteau
said : " You can grant me one. I want tho
execution to go off promptly. I don't want
any accidents at all. I want you to see
that there is no delay and no troublo, and I
would like to givo the signal for the drop my
self." The warden, readily assented, promising
to place a sheot of paper in the hands of tho
prisoner, the dropping of which was to be tho
signal for tho execution. With this arrange
ment Guiteau appeared much pleased, and
said: "I now want a little timo for prepara
tion and will then bo fully prepared to sec my
God." He then arranged some trilling matters,
conversed briefly with Dr. Hicks, and when
the latter read a few verses of scripture, Gui
teau wept, explaining his weakness by sayi ng
that he was weeping for joy at his speedy
union with God. Ho gave Dr. Hicks his
"prayer" and verses, and when asked by tho
latter if he thought ho would be sufficiently
composed to read them from the scaffold,
replied: "Why not? Of course I shall be."
Preparations wero then made for tho march to
the scaffold.
MIlS. SCOVILLE REFUSED ADMITTANCE.
Soon after 11 o'clock a carriage arrived at the
jail in which was seated Mrs. Scoville. The
guard refused to admit her. Word was sent to
Warden Crocker and in turn went to John
Guiteau. The warden declined to admit her
at all unless Guiteau asked for her presence,
and even then he would have barred her going
beyond the door of tho corridor. The assassin
was thinking of something else; lie was ar
ranging the final tableau and finishing the
elocutionary effort he was soon to make, so ho
returned word that he had nothing to say
about it, and would be perfectly contented
whether his sister camo in or staid out.
After a short conference Warden Crocker
went outside the jail to see Mrs. Scoville. Ho
found her in a state of great excitement, bor
dering upon hysteria, but after a short timo he
succeeded in calming her and dissuading her
from any further attempt to gain admission.
Sho finally acknowledged the propriety of
such a course. Sho brought with her flowers,
which Guiteau had asked for, and they were
taken in to him. Mrs. Scoville a'so brought
two handsome flower pieces a cross and an
anchor to bo placed upon her brother's collin.
She was finally persuaded to return to the
city.
SCENE ON THE GALLOWS.
Tcrror-Strickrn Appearance of the Prisoner Ho
Breaks Domi and Sobs Pitifully.
A few minutes after 12 o'clock tho officer
in command of tho marines gave tho order
"Shoulder arms," and the double line through
which the procession was to pass was formed,
the soldiers forming oneside and the spectators
the other. A pathway was thus formed lead
ing directly from the corridor in which the
ahsabsin was to tho corridor in which ho was
to be hanged. John W. Guiteau, who appeared
wonderfully composed, took up Imposition close
to his brother's corridor and patiently waited
with the crowd for the procession to thogallows.
At this time rumors were being circulated that
Guiteau had fainted, and that ho would not bo
able to walk, and that preparations wero being
made to carry him to tho scaffold, all of which
proved false. At twenty minutes past 12
o'clock Warden Crocker entered the cell and
found tho prisoner's arms bound firmly. Ho
was attired with scrupulous neatness in a suit
of navy blue. He wore no collar, but had
thrown a white handkerchief loosely around
his neck.
"Are you ready?" said Mr. Crockor.
"I am, certainly," replied Guiteau.
Tho iron gate clanged loudly as it opened
and closed behind the party emerging from
the corridor. Guiteau was preceded by Warden
Crocker and Dr. Hicks, and attended on cither
side by deputy sheriffs. The party -walked
briskly. Guiteau, though straining every
nerve to appear calm, presented a picture of
terror and despair. His face was blanched, and
as he glanced hastily to the right and left tho
expression of his countenance plainly betrayed
his extreme nervousness. He walked without
support, and after crossing tho rotunda de
scended the three steps leading into tho long
corridor, at the extreme end of which loomed
up tho painted scaffold, upon which the prisoner
glanced hastily. As tho condemed man and
his attendants passed through tho door there
was a tremendous rush by the crowd to gain
admission, the glass door on ono sido boing
shattered, and the representative of The
National Tribune and others who had taken
up a position near tho entrance wero jammed
unceremoniously against tho wall. Stalwart
policemen hurled back tho crowd and shouted
out orders to "keep back." Tho crowd then
entered the corridor, which was soon filled up
to within a short distance of tho scaffold,
where a line of polico prevented a nearer ap
proach. In ascending tho stops Guiteau
stumbled but did not fall, and quickly reach
ing the platform took his placo on the drop.
John Guiteau took up his position near tho
scaffold and scanned tho sconp serenely. War
den Crocker removed his hat, tho crowd un
covered, and every voice was hushed. Guiteau,
with his bauds clasped behind him, stood
erect and glanced at the beam overhead
from which tho nooso dangled, thou at tho
crowd, and then at the minister and warden
He still presented the same startled appear
ance, but was evidently bracing himself up for
tho coming
struggle.
Dr. Hicks began tho
service hy offering tho following prayer :
Father, out of tho depths we cry to Theo.
Hear Thou our supplication, for tho sake of
Jesus Christ our Saviour, who has made full
propitiation for us. Behold this Thy servant!
We humbly pray that Thou wilt deliver him
at this supreme moment of his life. Let Thy
light descend upon him. Liberato his soul
from prison. May ho appear beforo You ab
solved by Thy great mercy. From blood
guiltiness deliver him and us. God, havo
mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lamb
of God, that taketh away the sins of tho world,
havo mercy on us. Amen and amen.
Dr. Hicks then turned to tho assassin, and
Guiteau, in a clear, ringing voice said: "1 will
read a selection from the 10th chapter of Mat
thew, from the twenty-eighth to tho forty-first
verso, inclusive," as follows:
23. And fear not them which kill tho body,
but are not ablo to kill the soul : but rather
fear him which is ablo to destroy both soul and
body in boll.
29. Aro not two sparrows sold for a farthing?
and ono of them shall not fall on the ground
without your Father.
30. Rut tho very hairs of your head aro
ail numbered.
31. Fear yo not therefore, yo aro of moro
value than many sparrows.
32. Whosoever thcreforo shall confess mo be
foro men, him will 1 confess also beforo my
Father which is in heaven.
33. But whosoever shall donymo beforo men,
him will I also deny beforo my Father which
is in heaven.
31. Think not that I am como to send peaco
on earth : I camo not to send peace, but a
sword.
35. For I am como to sot a man at varianco
against his father, and the daughter against
her mother, and tho daughtcr-iu-law against
her mother-in-law.
3G. And a man's foes shall be they of his own
household.
37. He that loveth father and mother moro
than me is not worthy of mo : and ho that
loveth son or daughter moro than mo is not
worthy of me.
33. And ho that taketh not his cross, and
followuth after me, is not worthy of me.
30. Ho that findeth his life shall loose it:
and ho that loseth his lifo for my sako shall
find it.
10. Ho that recoiveth yon rccciveth mo, and
ho that rccciveth mo rcceivoth him that sent
me.
-11. He that rccciveth a prophet in tho name
of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward :
and he that rccciveth a righteous man in tho
name of a righteous man shall receive a righte
ous man's reward.
He read in a sing-song stylo, but his enuncia
tion was clear and his voico only slightly
tremulous. Dr. Hicks then unfolded some
manuscript and hold it before Guiteau, who
said : " I will now repeat my last dying prayer,"
and his voice again rang out clear and loud as
he gave utterance to tho following:
"Father, now I go to Thee and tho Saviour.
I have finished the work Thou gavest mo to
do, and 1 am only too happy to go to Thee.
The world does not appreciate my mission, but
Thou knowest it. Thou knowest Thou didst
inspire Garfield's removal, and only good has
como from it. This is tho best evidence that
the inspiration came from Thee and 1 havo sot
it forth in my book that all men may read and
know that Thou, Father, didst inspiro the act
for which I am now murdered. This govern
ment and nation by this act I know will incur
Thy eternal enmity, as did tho Jews by killing
Thy man, my Saviour. The retribution in that
case camo quick and sharp and I know Thy
divine law of retribution will strike this nation,
and my murderers in the same way. The
diabolical spirit of this nation, its govern
ment and its newspapers toward me will
justify Theo in cursing them and 1 know
that Thy divine law of retribution is inexor
able. "I therefore predict that this nation will go
down in blood, and that my murderers, irom
the Executive to the hangman, will go to hell.
Thy laws aro inexorable, O Supremo Judge !
Woe unto the mail that violates Thy laws.
Only weeping and gnashing of teeth awaits
them. The Amciican press has a large hill to
settle with Thee, righteous Father, for their
vindictiveness in this matter. Nothing but
blood will satisfy them, and now my blood bo
on them and the nation and its officials.
"Arthur, tho President, is a coward and an
ingratc. His ingratitude to the man that made
him and saved his parly and land from over
throw has no parallel in history, but Thou,
righteous Father, will judge him. Father,
thou knowest me, but tho world hath not
known nie, and now I go to Theo and tho
Saviour without the slightest ill-will toward a
human being. Farewell, ye men of earth."
The reading of the " prayer " had a marked
effect upon the spectators, and whatever sym
pathy may have been felt for tho wretch as ho
stood on tho brink of eternity his blasphemous
remarks wholly extinguished. It was evident
as ho came near the close that ho was fast weak
ening. Vitli a glance about him he next said :
"You all know that unless yo bo born
again and become as a little child yo
cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.
I have become as a little child and 1
am going to lead some verses which aro in
tended to indicate my feelings at the moment
of leaving this world. If set-to music they
may be rendered effective. The idea is that of
a child babbling toits mamma and his papa.
I wrote it this morning about ten o'clock."
He then in a baby voice began the recital of
his ditty :
1 am going to tho Lordy,
J am so glad ;
I am going to tho Lordy,
1 am so glad;
I am going to the Lordy,
Glory, hallelujah! glory hallelujah !
Going to tho Lordy.
I lovo the Lordy Avith all my soul,
Glory, hallelujah !
And that is tho reason
J am going to tho Lordy,
1 am going to theliOrdy, I
Hero Guiteau's voice failed and he bowed his
head and broko into sobs. But ho rallied a
little and went on with bis chant:
I saved my party and my land,
Glory, hallelujah!
But they have murdered me for it ;
And that is tho reason
I am going to the Lordy.
Glory hallelujah ! glory hallelujah!
I am going to the Lordy.
Here again his feelings overcame him and he
leaned his head on tho shoulder of Dr. Hicks
and sobbed pitifully.
It was indeed a pitiful sceno. Presently
Guiteau continued:
I wonder what I will do
When I get to the Lordy ;
I guess that I will weep no moro
When I get to the Lordy.
Glory, Hallelujah!
Hero there was another interruption caused by
convulsive sobs and emotion, which ho was un
able to repress. Ho wept bitterly, and then,
with quivering lips and mournful tones at
tempted to go on, but failed and sobbed as if
his heart would break. Tears rolled down his
checks. Dr. Hicks patted him on the shoulder
Mid then in almost inaudible tones and ti enab
ling lips ho concluded his senseless babblo as
follows :
I wonder what I will sco
When I get to the Lordy?
I expect to see tho most splendid things,
Beyond all earthly conception
When I am with the Lordy.
Glory, hallelujah !
Raising his voico to the highest pitch that he
could command :
Glory, hallelujah !
I am with tho Lord.
Tho spectacle was a thoroughly disgusting
one, and why he was permitted either to recite
his prayer, in which he so grossly blasphemed
and insulted the President, or his baby verses,
is almost incomprehensible. The whole scene
would have been amusing if it had not been
disgusting, extending to the bounds of inde
cency, and a feeling of relief was experienced
when he had concluded his childish babbling.
Tho next scene in this tragic farce or forcical
tragedy was assigned the hangman, who knelt
and securely tied tho prisoner's leg3 together.
During this there was an absolute silenco that
was positively painful. Guiteau was utterly
broken down and, with closed eyes, appeared to
bo silently praying. He was supported by the
deputies, and tho swaying motion of his body
indicated complcto physical exhaustion. Ho
had realized fully tho awful fact that ho was
to he strangled for tho great crimo he had com
mitted, and although ho had expressed himself
as being fully prepared to meet his fato, and
was utterly indifferent to it, it was clearly evi
dent that lying was one of his strong charac
teristics. John Guiteau watched tho tying
process calmly, but no glauco of recognition
passed between tho brothers. After tho hang
man had pinioned him Dr. Hicks handed Gui
teau a piece of paper which 'ho was to drop as
the signal that ho was ready, and placing his
hand on tho assassin's head gavo his final tcn
cdiction, saying: "God, the Father, bo with
theo and givo theo peace forevormoro."
Tho hangman then adjusted tho noose, Gui
teau remarking as ho did so, "Don't pull it too
tight" Tho black hood was then drawn over
his head and aocurcd around his throat, Gui
teau repeating the word " Glory, glory, glory,"
in tremulous tones. A moment later ho dropped
tho scrap of paper and the warden waved a
white handkerchief to tho other hangman
within just as the assassin said " Ready." Tho
bolt was drawn, tho drop fell, and tho body
dropped straight as an arrow through tho open
ing. Although his neck was not broken it is
evident that death was instantaneous. For
nearly aminuto there was not the slightest
pcrceptiblo motion ; at tho end of that time the
chest heaved and the legs twitched, but very
slightly. At this moment the inmates of tho
jail raised a shout, which was caught up by the
crowd outside, and the air was rent with cheers,
which continued for half a minute in striking
contrast with tho death -liko stillness of the
spcclatorsas they stood gazing at the figure of
the assassin as it swayed slightly to and fro.
Tho drop fell at 12:10, but tho body was al
lowed to remain hanging until 1:1G p. ni., when
it was lowered into the plain stained coffin
below. Tho crowd was then permitted to pass
around and view tho features of tho corpse.
Tho complexion was sallow, tho features dis
turbed and vengeful, and traces of tears were
to be seen. John Guiteau sat at the head of
the coffin fanning away tho flics, but as stolid
looking as any ono around him. After tho
crowd had feasted on tho picturo to their
hearts' content tho collin was clocd and borno
to tho chapel, where the autopsy was held, a
number of physicians having beon invited to
bo present specially for that purpose.
THE AUTOPSY.
So Evidence, of 3Ient.nl Disease. Discovered Tho
'cek 'ot Uroken.
The physicians engaged worked for moro
than an hour in the chapel. Tho brain was
removed and taken to the Army Medical Mu
seum, where tho investigation was continued.
The examination will probably not bo conclud
ed for several days, when a report will be made.
One of tho first discoveries made by the phy
sicians was that the neck was not broken. Tho
results of the autopsy, so far as concluded,
were reported informally as follows: An ex
amination was made of the cerebral and ab
dominal cavities, and the investigation was
suspended in order to conclude tho examina
tion of tho brain with tho microscope. Nothing
abnormal was found in the abdominal cavity
except tho spleen, which was considerably en
larged, weighing iiUeeu ounces, which is twice
tho usual size. Tho lungs and heart were nor
mal, though there was a slight roughening of
the aorta.
The brain, so far as examined, presented no
ovidenccs of disease. Tho weight uas 49
ounces, which is slightly above the average.
As stated above, tho physicians found that the
neck was neither dislocated nor fractured, but
there was a rupture of the sterno-clido-mastoid
muscle on both sides and a rupture of tho
thyro-hyoid membrane. The man was stran
gled to death. Tho brain is to be frozen and
examined in sections. The report of the sur
geons engaged in tho autopsy will state posi
tively their opinion as to the mental condition
of tho dead man as indicated by his brain. So far
as opinions have been expressed by physicians
who attonded tho autopsy no ovidenccs of in
sanity havo yet been discovered.
The brain of Guiteau is now in a number of
jars in Dr. Lamb's office in the Army Medical
Museum. Portions of it are in the. hands of
tho miscroseopist, and still others are being pho
tographed. The intention is to make as thor
ough and exhaustive examination of tho brain
as is possible.
Dr. Lamb was asked if it was true that the
brain was found to be in a normal condition.
"That is true as far as tho brain is concerned,
but tho membrane that envelops it was found .
to bo unhealthy and will ho examined closely." j
Dr. Hartigan said that the membranes
around tho brain wero apt to cause a doubt in
the minds of thoso who wore disposed to favor
the insanity theory, but that lie had often seen
the same condition of tho membrane in .persons
never suspected of insanity.
Dr. McDonald, whose expert teatinlony dur
ing the Guiteau trial formed one of the fea
tures, and who attended tho autopsy, was a-ikeu
if it was true that tho brain was found in a
healthy condition.
"Yes," was the reply; "that was the case.
It could hardly have been in a better condi
tion. In weight it was only a half ounce above
the normal, and its appearance was natural
and healthy."
" Was not this an unexpected result?"
"Not to me, at least. It was no moro than I
expected, and as far as tho brain shows the
mental condition, I have seen no reason to
change my opinion about tho lato deceased."
"But docs tho brain indicate the mental
condition?"
"To a certain extent yes, and as tho work
with the micioscope becomes more accurate it
will show it more fully. A diseased brain is
regarded as an indication of insanity, although
sane people have been known to havo diseased
brains."
"But it is said that tho membrane was dis
eased?" "It was not healthy and its condition might
or might not indicate disease. The microscopic
examination will show that and will determine
exactly what it does indicate."
"Willthero he anything further developed
in the examination of the brain to chango your
opinion?"
" 1 don't sco now how there can be. The ex
amination will he continued, and will bo as
thorough as possible, and will give minute par
ticulars, but general conclusions arrived at will
not be changed, in my opinion. Tho brain was
a good one."
Dr. Lamb mado tho following statement as
to the result of the autopsy, with the explana
tion that a fuller report would be made later:
"The brain weighed 49 ounces. There were
adhesion of the outer membrane to the skull
and opaque thickenings of the arachnoid mem
brane over .the fissures of the convexity. To
the naked eye the brain itself showed no evi
dence of disease. There was a slight depres
sion of the skull in the right side. Microscopic
views of the brain were taken, and photographs
of tho brain ami membranes and general ap
pearance of the surface."
BRAIN WEIGHT OF DISTINGUISHED MEN.
The following table of the brain-weight of
distinguished persons is taken from Dr. Tum
ors' paper "On the Weight of the Human
Brain."
Age.
03.
61.
56.
51.
50.
70.
SO.
(57.
Oza.
61.5.
63.
55.06.
55.G.
..0.
53.5.
53.5.
53.
53.9.
52.6.
54.7.
49.
41.3.
1.
o
3.
4.
r.
6.
i.
S.
9.
Cuvier, naturalist . . .
Abercrombie, physician .
Spurzhcim, physician . .
Dirichlet, mathematician
DeMomy, statesman . .
Daniel Webster, statesman
Campbell, Lord Chancellor
Chalmers, preacher . .
Fuchs, pathologist . . . .52.
10. Gauss, mathematician . . 73.
Average of 10 distinguished men 50-70
Brain weight ol average Europeans .
Average brain weight of male negroes
BURIED IN
THE JAIL YARD.
The Assassin's I'einnins Interred
in an Unmarked
(Jrave.
The body of Guiteau was buried Saturday
afternoon in the northeast corridor of the jail,
and so far as is nowknown to the contrary, the
remains will lie there undisturbed by any
future sepulture. Under tho law tho disposi
tion of tho bodies of criminals who are exe
cuted rests within tho discretion of thewar
den. In the case of Guiteau, his sistor, Mrs.
Scoville, was without means, and could not
havo undertaken his burial expenses oven if
permitted to do so. The only othor relative
who has appeared upon the scene his brother,
John W. Guiteau was unwilling toassume the
risk of taking charge of the remains, believing
that he would bo powerless to prevent " body
snatch ers" from stealing them; therefore, Gen
eral Crocker resolved to bury the assassin's
bodj- within tho walls of the jail, where it
would be beyond the reach alike of vengeance
or speculation.
AN UNMARKED GRAVE.
Tiio northeast corridor, in which Guiteau
was buried, is upon the opposito sido of the
rotunda from tho one in which ho was
hung, and from tho window of the cell in
which ho was confined one can look down upon
his grave. The brick flooring was removed
and a grave seven feet deep was dug. At 4
o'clock the coffin containing the body of Guiteau
was borne from the chapel upon the shoulders
of six of tho jail prisoners, and, without any
service or ceremony whatever, was lowered
into this grave and buried from sight. The
only persons present were John W. Guiteau,
Dr. Hicks, Warden Crocker and son, Mr.
Wright, the undertaker ; Ward, the engineer
of the jail; Deputy Warden Rusk, Captain
Crocker, and the six prisoners who acted as
pall-bearers. The coffin was closed Friday
evening, and no one afterwards permitted to sco
the remains. Mrs. Scoville, accompauied by
Miss Chevaillicr, arrived at tho jail shortly
before 4 o'clock, and importuned the Warden
to be allowed to see the remains and witness
their burial. General Crocker, however, re
mained firm in hisdetcrmination not to accede
to her request, and after a few minutes she re-
furned to the city, leaving a number of flower
pieces, which sho had brought with her, and
which sho expected to place upon tho grave.
As the body was being taken down the steps
leading from the chapel to the ccntro rotunda
of the building, the mourners or rather wit
nesses stood near the door leading to the
northeast rotunda, and as it was taken down
the flight of steps leading from the rotunda to
tho brick floor of tho corridor they silently
filed in behind the convict pall-bearers. Ar
rived at. tho grave tho little procession halted.
Warden Crocker looked inquiringly first toward
Dr. Hicks and then to John W. Guiteau. " All
right," said tho latter, with the same imper
turbable composure that he has exhibited all
through the ordeal of the past three days, and
the collin was at once lowered to its place.
After the earth hud been replaced and the top
of tho grave leveled oil', John W. Guiteau
stepped foiward and placed at its head a crown
of white immortelles. No word was spoken,
not a tear was shed. An outcast from human
sympathy when living, Guiteau when dead
had found an upwcptsepulture in an unmarked
ATTEMPTS AT SUICIDE.
Tho Story of a lVisoned Doncniet Sent to the
Prisoner hy UN Sister.
Beforo tho execution there were numerous
rumors that the means for committing suicide
would bo furnished the prisoner, and that he
would thus bo enabled to cheat the gal lows. One
story was to the ell'ect that a poisoned bouquet
had been sent to his cell hy the prisoner's
sister.
It now turns out that tho supposition was
based upon reasonable grounds, at least, and
that the flowers bore the appearance of having
been " fixed.'' Soveral days beforo tho execu
ti'iu, General Crockor, tho warden, received a
letter from Philadelphia warning him to be
watchful of Mrs. Scoville, should sho apply for
an interview with her brother, as there wero
some good reasons to believe, if sho had an op
portunity, she would give Guiteau poison, and
thus cheat tho gallows. It is needless to say
tint before this tho warden and ofi'uvrs had
become suspicious that there was something of
this kind projected, and it had already been
determined that' there should bo no oppor
tunity allowed for Mrs. Scoville to piss any
thing to tho coudeumed man. Mrs. Scoville
went to the jail on Thursday, about 2 o'clock,
carrying a bouquet of ordinary size, with a
large whito rose in the center, and this she re
tmestcd should be sent i:i to her brother. At
tho time Guiteau was engaged with Mr. Reed
and Rev. Dr. Hicks in arranging his carfchly
ull'airs, and Mr. Woodward, tho "deati watch,"
was standing over him when the flowers wero
passed to him. Guiteau took them in his
hand, and in answer to his question the answer
was given: "They aro from your sister," at
which ho looked astonished for a short time,
and then his eyes filled with tears.
The bouquet was then set in a cup on the
small table. It was soon known to the deputy
warden that tho bowruet had been sent in,
and it was removed carefuil-. The central
flower of tho bouquet was found to be thickly
covered with a fine white powder, and on the
least movement particles would' fall therefrom.
The officers thereupon detcrmineil to select
the bouquet to chemical analysis.
Tho flower iu question is kept under lock
and key for the present, as also another flower
from the same bouquet. The first ono has a
faded, dirty, green corrolla, just as it appeared
when first noted, and the flower proper has a
sort of waxy look. The other has a natuiai
look.
GUITEAU'S BROTHER AND SISTER.
Mr. John W. Guiteau left the city Sunday
evening for his home in Boston. Mrs. Scoville
is still in the city, but expects to leave shortly.
SERMONS ON THE HANGING.
What Dr. Hicks and Other Clergymen Had to Say
About It.
It was expected that Dr. Hicks's sermon at
the Tabernacle church Sunday morning would
have some reference to the gloomv scene in
which he figured so prominently last week,
and his church was crowded. The reverend
gentleman, however, made no allusion to
Guiteau by name. He took his t-xt from
Lukexix: 10 "To save that which was lost."
Ho took tho ground that the vilest sinner
might be saved through the instrumentality
of divine power. Ho discussed the probability
of a murderer who repented at the last moment
entering the kingdom of Heaven. He then
proceeded to say how cruel and uncharitable
it was to put a fellow-man to death simply
because popular opinion demanded It. During
his remarks he said he believed that if ''Jesus
Christ was upon earth now there aro people
living who would eru ify him within a week.'
ANOTHER r A -'TOR'S VIEWS.
Rev. S. Iv. Cox, of the Mount Vernon Place
M. E. Church South, preached on the subject
of capital punishment. He discussed the ques
tion as to whether capital punishment should
be abolished, and took the ground that it
should not be, for if it were the number of
murders would be increased tenfold. He was
disgusted with the parade mr.de on tho scaffold,
of men stepping oil" the trap to glory if wo
believo their language. Some criminals, ho
said, tried to make the public believe that
they were heroes. Alluding to the blasphemous
utterances of Guiteau in prayer and doggeral
he said he could not see how the officers of
the law and clergymen could stand by and
quietly submit to such utterances. He also
alluded to the conduct of Woodward, who was
hung here in lb52, whom the speaker visited. He
said that he was not convinced of the sincerity
of Woodward's professions, and when they de
clined to administer the commnnion to him he
flew into a terrible passion, showing that he
was not sincere in bis professions, his object
being to have his name paraded in the papers
that he might be considered a hero. He hoped
that the time was not distant when all that the
public would learn of an execution would be
that it was an accomplished fact.
A MINNESSOTA TWSTOR e)N GUITEAU.
The Rev. George Wright, of Minnesota, who
is temporarily filling the pulpit of the Dum
barton street M. E. church, West Wasningtoa,
preached a very interesting national Sermon
Sunday morning at that church from the text,
"Righteousness oxalteth a nation, but sin is a
disgraco to any people." Ho characterized
Guiteau as a savage, saying he had lived like
a savage and diedlike one.
A CRANK TO AVENGE GUITEAU.
A telegram from Cony, Pa., July 1, sayg :
A strange crank passed through here to-day
on the down express who professed to be on a
divine mission to Washington to execute the
command of God by avenging Guiteau's mur
der, as he termed it. He resembles Guiteau in
personal appearance, and professes to be a distant
relative. He said he had never taken much
stock in Guiteau until the night before be was
hanged, when God appeared to him in a vision
and commandetl him to go to Washington to
avenge Guiteau's murder. As to the manner
in which this is to be effected he is in doubt, as
God promised to reveal it to him upon his ar
rival in Washington. He refused to tell his
name or where ho came from, but he had a
ticket from Chicago to New York. He uttered
terrible threats against Arthur and others. He
is supposed to be crazy on the subject. When
he learned that no was talking to a newspaper
correspondent he refused to talk further, and
said that it would all come out in time."
THAT HAPPY SCOVILLE FAMILY.
Extraordinary Letters from Geo. Scoville Painful
Keel:itions of Domestic Infelicity.
Tho following extracts from letters written
by George Scoville to John W. Guiteau anil to
Mrs. Scoville have been given to tho press. In
a letter written March 24, 1SS2, in which Sco
ville seems to be trying to dissuade Mrs. Scoville
from some step which she contemplated taking
in behalf of her brother, he says:
"Every move you make, before the court
passes on tho question of a new trial, will do
harm. If not, the only reason will be that peo
ple will excuse and pity you on the ground
that you are as crazy as this depraved wretch.
You are willing to cast from you the
love of your children, the affection ot your hus
band, to walk alone the dreary way of old age,
ami die neglected, it may he. in a poorhouse
for what? To nurse a cold, feelingless viper,
who could not or would not return a single
emotion of thankfulness.
"If you go oil in this manner, I shall come
to feel that the wrong done to me and my family
by the wretch can ouly be expiated by hanging
him, and will do what I can to pi event any
commutation of sentence. The life of a good
horse or dog is much more valuable than his,
aud it does not need repeat id thru? ts of the
murderous knife into the hearts of those deal
est to me to lead me to drivo one home into his
vile carcass."
Under date of Chicago. April 26, Scoville
wrote to John W. Guiteau :
"I greatly fear for Bertha's safety, as her
mother is liable to tako a whim at any timo to
kill hor."
From Pittsburg, April 29, he wrote:
' When she has poisoned Bertha and perhaps
herself your eyes may be opened. All tho
friends in Chicago say the only safe and proper
thing to do is to placo her in an insane asylum
at once. Probably if Charles' .sentence- is coin
muled she may recover, but it is doulu"r I
shall noc endure much more abuse personally
from anybody growing oui' of the Unites
case."
In another letter ta .'John Y, C?f.::cr.w, datel
at Chicago, April 30. he says:
"If she corao back hers to ry asl keep
on as she has been doing thewiil btsataebofk.
killed. T shall nver stay twenty-for beats hi
a town and have .1-1 .-oiiig wilfully with men,
as sho has been oing v.'i'h Harper, Johnson,
and Early, without giving tho mn disrilieir
notice that they indulge in such .n,dnct "
their peril. 1 have vcthiwj to loss, ami care wt
for contcquencef."
On the next day Scoville wrote:
"No investigation that eaii bo -ad'j v. 11
harm me in tho least. But I see no risible
good it could do her, While socjo would ohw-
n